“The UK’s move in the Strait of Gibraltar is a case of piracy,” Zarif said today, during his press conference in Tehran on the occasion of the National Journalists Day, adding, “The European Union used to be opposed to extra-territorial sanctions. This vessel was not bound for a destination that has been designated by their sanctions. What the UK has done is aiding and abetting the U.S. economic terrorism.”

IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

Reiterating that Iran takes London’s seizure of the vessel carrying Iranian oil in the Strait of Gibraltar as piracy, Zarif condemned Britain’s move as a supportive measure for Washington’s policy of depriving the Iranian nation of their foreign revenues.

“The U.S. is preventing the delivery of food and medicine to the people of Iran and the UK is an accomplice in this crime,” he said, warning, “These moves will have serious consequences and repercussions.”

“The U.S. is responsible for stirring tensions in the Persian Gulf and the world,” the Iranian diplomatic chief underlined.

“The U.S. is fueling fire and to calm tensions it is just the US which must stop spearing fire. Whenever the U.S. has entered into the Persian Gulf it has brought in nothing but violence and war,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

He blamed Americans for repeating the same mistakes of the past in the region, describing it very unwise for the White House to fall in traps similar to the country’s former predicaments.

Zarif then touched upon the U.S. sanctions against his position as the Foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing Washington’s move as the US failure in diplomacy and the White House’s opposition to dialogue.

Referring to Iran’s self-reliance in the fields of military and weapons, the top diplomat said, “We have never bought our security and will never do. Our security is not purchasable because it derives from our people. Our progress is also derived from our people.”

“We managed to shoot down the American drone with an Iranian-made missile. They are saying why we make [missiles]. [They must know that] they cannot stop Iranians with sanctions,” stressed the foreign minister.

Admitting the reports that he had been invited by U.S. President Donald Trump to meet with him in the White House, Zarif said the U.S. rulers sought to intimidate him with sanctions to accept the invitation.

“During my visit to New York, I was told that I would be sanctioned within two weeks unless I accepted the offer [to meet Trump], which I turned down,” Zarif added.

In reaction to the decision, Zarif played down the U.S. sanctions against him, expressing pleasure that he is considered as a “huge threat” to Washington’s plots.

“The U.S.’ reason for designating me is that I am Iran’s primary spokesperson around the world,” Zarif wrote on his Twitter account early Thursday.

“It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran,” he added, asking the U.S. whether the truth is really painful.

“Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda,” Zarif reiterated.

“We know that calling for dialog and peace is an existential threat to B-Team. And since reason for designating me is my words, would U.S. persons need OFAC license to engage with me by reading my writings or listening to interviews?” he wrote two hours later.

He also rejected allegations that he is to run for president, adding that he is ready to give written guarantee that he would not run for president.

Zarif hailed the recent thaw in ties between Tehran and Persian Gulf Arab states, saying the Islamic Republic welcomes the decrease in the B-Team members.

He made the remarks in his Monday press conference in Tehran, using the term he himself has coined to refer to a four-member group of anti-Iran hawks, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE de facto leader Mohammed bin Zayed, and U.S. president’s national security advisor John Bolton.

“Thank God the number of those in the B-Team is decreasing, and we welcome that. We want the relations with our neighbors to improve,” Zarif noted.

“Doors of Iran, as the country of your brothers, are open to you,” he added.

He also thanked Saudi Arabia for their good reception of Iranian Hajj pilgrims and expressed hope that such behaviors would be repeated after the annual pilgrimage.

“We are in the days of Hajj. Put an end to the Yemen war. Put an end to your pressures on the Syrian, Iraqi, and Afghan nations.”

“Doors of Iran are open to neighboring states. We’re ready, and this dialogue will benefit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and all regional states.

Zarif said Iran, Iraq, and six other Persian Gulf Cooperation Council member states need to have dialogue and sign a treaty of non-aggression with each other.

The Iranian top diplomat said he had earlier made such an offer, but they did not welcome our proposal.

“We’re always open to talks with our neighbors.”